Nevermind Nessie is a Belgian band from Lokeren. “Black Tartan Clan wanabees?” Both bands are from the same country and have a name linked to Scotland. Moreover, the design of the Nevermind Nessie EP artwork looks slightly like the Scottish flag. But that’s all. Nevermind Nessie have no pipes (and they don’t need them) and normally the boys don’t wear kilts on stage.

This five-piece band released a 5 track demo back in 2010 and this 4 track EP has been issued in 2012. A kick-ass EP recorded by a young band with a fresh sound. Their approach has some similarities with the German band In Search of a Rose early albums. Let's say that Nevermind Nessie are moving from the Dirty Artichokes end to the Paddy and the Rats and Fiddler’s Green end. The way will not be easy, but they are doing it fine: great fiddling by Irena together with an excellent work by Vincent on melodeon and tin whistle. But Nevermind Nessie are not based only on the traditional instruments. The band is really tight and Hendrik (guitar), Reinoud (bass) and Sam (drums) are also adding something to the sound.

The songs? Catchy numbers to sing along. Grab a bottle of Stella Artois, if you have no Trappist beer at hand, and enjoy numbers like "V.I.P." (amazing song with fiddle and melodeon and fantastic rhythm section) or "Glasgow Party". The lads have put lyrics to "Tam Lin" and the final result is a gem. A top-notch song that is the right choice to open a gig or to close it. Vincent plays tin whistle on this and the rythm section work is awesome.

“Far Away” gets the same treatment: traditional tune, own lyrics and a fight between fiddle and tin whistle. To finish up, “Don’t Die Alone” , more melodeon and fiddle.

No, definitely Nevermind Nessie are not trying to be another Black Tartan Clan. I guess that they love them as much as they love Dropkick Murphys. But they are following another path: fun, fun, fun. The same path that other European bands such as Firkin or Paddy and the Rats have opened. Congratulations to Nevermind Nessie for delivering the kind of CD that I enjoy: self-penned material and songs based on traditional tunes.